The cast of Steven Spielberg [1]'s upcoming West Side Story remake [2] is overflowing with talent, including names and faces you'll definitely recognise as well as a handful of newcomers whose names and faces you definitely won't forget after seeing them on the big screen. Among this mix of fresh and famous faces is Talia Ryder, a 19-year-old actress who has experience on stage and on screen. Talia got her start in Broadway's Matilda the Musical, and has since starred the indie film Never Rarely Sometimes Always. Her role as Tessa in West Side Story [3] is sure to be her major breakout role, and seeing as the actress already has a handful of other projects in post-production, you're about to be seeing a lot more of her. So, now's as good a time as any to get better acquainted with this multi-talented woman. Here are some fun facts about Talia that will have her feeling like an old friend by the time you see her on screen.
She Got Her Start on Broadway — Alongside Her Sister
As a kid, Talia had always been drawn to dance, but it was watching a Broadway show that gave her an aha moment to transition into acting. "When I was younger, I wanted to be a dancer [4] and a marine biologist, and it wasn't until I saw Matilda on Broadway that I considered performing," Talia told W Magazine.
Despite having little to no experience with acting or singing, Talia and her sister both auditioned for Matilda the Musical shortly after they saw the production, and amazingly they both landed roles! Talia described her role as "dance-heavy," which she says helped as she transitioned from strictly dance to theatre. "And having my sister backstage with me really made it feel like home," she said.
Her First Film Premiered at Sundance
Talia made quite a splash in her first ever silver screen role. The actress took on the role of Skyler, the cousin, friend, and companion of Autumn, a young woman who travels to New York City to get an abortion in 2020's Never Rarely Sometimes Always. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival [5], and garnered a bunch of attention.
Talia's masterful portrayal of Skyler earned her four different award nominations including the Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Performer and Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
Her Favourite Dance Movie is High School Musical
Gather round, Wildcats, this one's for you! If you spent your childhood stationed in front of the TV trying to figure out the choreo for the big gymnasium dance number at the end of High School Musical [6], you're not alone. Talia loved HSM, too. "I remember being in kindergarten, learning all the dances, and loving everyone in the movie [7]," she told W Magazine.
Dance Is at the Centre of Her Life
Talia might be making the move to the silver screen, but she hasn't forgotten her dance roots. She began dancing when she was 3, and often credits her dancing abilities as what landed her the role in Matilda the Musical.
In an interview, Talia described dancing as "one of the most vulnerable things you can do because you're literally moving your body for other people to watch and appreciate [8]." She also said that dance is a form of storytelling, and that her love of dance has helped her feel confident in other aspects of her life.
She Took a Stand Against Bullying
In 2016, Talia performed with over 70 other Broadway performers in Broadway Kids Against Bullying: I Have a Voice [9] to raise money for the No Bully [10] charity organisation. As the name suggests, this organisation centres around teaching children the importance of standing up to bullies and being kind to others.